TODD ANDREW ALLEN
Abbeville, S.C.; September 11, 2019 — An Abbeville man will spend the next 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to a methamphetamine-related charge, 8th Circuit Solicitor David M. Stumbo announced Wednesday.
Todd Andrew Allen, 39, pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to a charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamines. A jury was selected on the case at the Abbeville County Courthouse on Monday afternoon, but Allen elected to change his plea to guilty prior to start of testimony on Wednesday.
Circuit Judge Donald Hocker sentenced Allen to 20 years in prison. Allen has an extensive criminal history, including a number of drug related offenses.
In October 2018, investigators with the Abbeville Narcotics Task Force set up a controlled buy with Allen. Allen arrived at the meeting location where police were waiting. Deputies took Allen into custody and located approximately 44 grams of methamphetamine in a pouch at Allen’s feet, in addition to scales and a pipe.
Assistant Solicitor Micah Black and Deputy Solicitor Yates Brown handled the case for the state with the assistance of 8th Circuit Investigator Chris Wilkie. Allen was represented by Aaron Taylor of the Greenwood County Bar.
Solicitor Stumbo praised the work of his staff and the Abbeville Narcotics Task Force in securing the conviction and lengthy prison sentence. In particular, the Solicitor recognized the stellar proactive narcotics work done by Sheriff’s Department Investigators Matthew Graham and Jeffery Hines, as well as Abbeville Police Department Investigator Dwayne Balchin.
“The future is brighter for the people of Abbeville with another career criminal like Todd Allen behind bars for a many to come,” Solicitor Stumbo said following the sentencing. “My office will continue to stand alongside Sheriff (Ray) Watson and his guys to remove drug dealers like Todd Allen from our community.”